Canadian Valley Electric has eight board members who act as trustees for the cooperative corporation. Trustees are required to be CVEC members receiving electric utility service from the cooperative within the district they are elected to represent. Trustees are elected for three-year terms by and from the members in the respective district. District boundaries are reviewed consistently, per the CVEC bylaws, to ensure equal representation. Each member has one vote in the election of trustees and all other matters brought before the membership.
The trustees meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the Month, to oversee the operations of the cooperative utility and set goals, policies, and procedures to ensure that the cooperative is operated using sound business practices for the benefit of its consumers/owners. The operating and capital budgets of the cooperative are approved annually by the board of trustees. The general manager (CEO) is responsible for operating the cooperative within the guidelines and budget authorizations set by the board of trustees.
For more information regarding monthly board meeting, please contact our office during business hours at (405)382-3680
Chief Executive Officer - Gary Highley
A true Okie from Muskogee, Gary Highley has over 13 years of experience in electric utility and broadband businesses and has over two decades of experience running business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) technology-related services businesses for General Electric and Asea Brown Boveri. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Auburn University. Gary is a native of Oklahoma and currently resides in Choctaw with his wife of 29 years and three children.
CVEC Fiber Secretary – Steve Marak – District 1, Meeker
Steve and his wife, Robbie, reside near the Meeker area, where he and his family are active in the dairy cattle and milk production business. Steve has served on the board since 1992 and is currently our representative to the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. You may reach Mr. Marak via email at District1Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC Secretary – Robert Schoenecke – District 2, Meeker
Robert and his wife Kathryn live in the rural Meeker area. He has lived in CVEC territory all of his life and has been a member of the Cooperative for 45 years, and joined the board of trustees in 2004. He retired from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, produced pecans commercially for 10 years, and is currently a rural mail carrier for the USPS in Meeker, OK. You may reach Mr. Schoenecke via email at District2Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC Treasurer – Jesse Snyder – District 3, Prague
Jesse & his wife, Gina, farm full-time southwest of Prague, carrying on a strong family tradition since 1891. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. The Snyders are blessed with 9 children and 19 grandchildren. Jesse was honored to be elected to serve on the board of trustees in 2022, and he is a 5th generation CVEC member. You may reach Mr. Snyder via email at District3Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC Fiber Vice President – Clayton Eads – District 4, Shawnee
Clayton resides in the South Rock Creek area with his wife, Judy. They have two daughters who live in the SRC area and with their families. He has served on the board since 1978 and is currently a home builder and real estate investor. Clayton also enjoys and has an interest in farming and ranching. You may reach Mr. Eads via email at District4Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC Fiber President – Matt Goodson – District 5, Tecumseh
Matt and his wife Rita reside near the Tecumseh area and have two sons and one granddaughter. He has served on the board of trustees since 1997. He recently retired as General Manager of Circuit Engineering District 4. Goodson enjoys travel, gardening, and building things. You may reach Mr. Goodson via email at District5Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC President – Joe Semtner – District 6, Konawa
Joe and his wife Sharon own a small cow-calf ranch in southern CVEC country. Joe has served on the board since 2006 and has lived on CVEC lines all his life. They have raised three children and currently have four grandchildren. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and is in the retail insurance business. You may reach Mr. Semtner via email at District6Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC Fiber Treasurer – J.P. Duvall – District 7, seminole
J.P. has served on the board of trustees since 1976. Better known as “Doc,” Duvall resides North of Seminole, where he also serves on the school board at Varnum Public Schools. You may reach Mr. Duvall via email at District7Trustee@mycvec.coop.
CVEC Vice President – Yates Adcock – District 8, Dustin
Yates resides near the Dustin, OK, area with his wife, Nancy. He is heavily involved in Production Agriculture in the surrounding areas of Hughes and Mcintosh counties. Yates has served the members of CVEC on the board since 2001. You may reach Mr. Adcock via email at District8Trustee@mycvec.coop.